Cameron Jordan received his payday. Now, the New Orleans Saints defensive end wants one of his teammates to get a gigantic check.
Joining NFL Network's Good Morning Football on Monday, Jordan didn't hesitate suggesting Michael Thomas should become the highest-paid receiver in the NFL.
"Pay the man," Jordan said emphatically. "Nobody's done what he's done in his first three years. Highest paid."
Jordan added: "Nobody is catching more receptions. Who has had more in their first three years? His catch rate speaks for itself."
Jordan's facts are correct. Thomas broke the record for receptions in his first three seasons, hauling in 321 tosses and compiling 3,787 yards with 23 TDs. In 2018, Thomas' 85-percent catch rate (125 catches on 147 targets) topped the league, and he generated 75 receiving first downs, third-most in the NFL.
As NFL Network analytics expert Cynthia Frelund points out, Thomas' influence on the Saints offense is astounding. Per Frelund, the WR led the NFL in most first downs on plays when the game was within one score (20) and no other receiver had a higher off-ball impact than Thomas (off-ball impact is defined as forcing the defense to account for the player even when he does not have the ball, such as by drawing double teams or the opponent's best defensive back, thereby creating opportunities for others in the offense).
Odell Beckham Jr. currently sits as the highest-paid receiver at $18 million per season. Reports suggest Thomas is looking to become the first wideout to earn north of $20 million.
Whether the Saints agree with Jordan and make Thomas the highest-paid wideout in the league remains to be seen. With Julio Jones, Amari Cooper and A.J. Green also looking for new deals, that "highest-paid receiver" figure should only be moving northward as we approach the season.
